ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs 
Cabinet approves the 3rd line between Narayangarh & Bhadrak  on South Eastern Railway
Will help generate additional optimum capacity to cope up with the existing as well as additional traffic
Capacity utilisation on Narayangarh & Bhadrak section is 138%. Third line will help reduce this congestion
Will help generate direct employment for about 37.2 lakh mandays
Total estimated cost of this project is Rs. 1,866.31 cr. & will be completed by 2023-24
The Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the construction of a 3rd railway line between Narayangarh in West Bengal & Bhadrak in Odisha of 155 kms length. At a total cost of Rs. 1,866.31 crore it is slated for completion during the year 2023-24.
The construction of the third line will help create capacity to cope with existing as well as additional traffic. The busy section between Narayangarh and Bhadrak is mainly used for the movement of coking coal to steel plants as well as the movement of export ore from the areas of Chakradharpur to several ports. Therefore, this 3rd line will help in easier movement of coal. This will help steel plants, power plants as well as the export industry, which will boost the economies of Odisha and West Bengal, and entire East India.
Third line will ease congestion on this route. Narayangarh – Bhadrak section forms a part of the Howrah-Chennai trunk route. The present utilization  of the section between Narayangarh & Bhadrak is to the tune of 138% as per Line Capacity Statement 2014-15. Over and above the heavy freight traffic, the route has to accommodate 47 pairs of coaching trains including high-speed trains like Bhubaneswar Rajdhani, Howrah-Yesvantpur Duronto, Howrah-Puri Duronto, Sealdah-Puri duronto & Howrah-Puri Shatabdi Express. This makes it highly congested.
The project will also help generate direct employment for about 37.2 lakh mandays during construction, and has the potential to generate indirect employment as well.
Ministry of Culture
Shri Prahlad Singh Patel inaugurated digitization of 4.5 Crore pages of Records
On the occasion of the 131st Foundation Day of the National Archives, the Union Minister of State for Culture and Tourism  Shri Prahlad Singh Patel inaugurated the digitization of 4.5 Crore pages of Records and Exhibition based on “Mahatma Gandhi& the Cooperation Movement” today. The National Archives initiated the digitization Records.
The National Archives currently has a collection of over 18.00 crore pages. Public records include files recognized by the President of India, volumes, maps, bills, treaties, rare manuscripts, ancient records, personal papers, cartographic records, important collections of gazettes and gazetteers, census records, Parliamentary and Assembly debates, literature, travelogue etc.
The exhibition on 'Mahatma Gandhi and the Non-Cooperation Movement' is based on the original documents. This exhibition will run till 15 April 2021.
President's Secretariat
Great Saints Like Sant Ravidasji belong to Entire Humanity: President Kovind
President of India Graces the ‘Shri Guru Ravidas Vishva Mahapeeth Rashtriya Adhiveshan-2021’
Great saints like Sant Ravidasji belong to entire humanity, said the President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind. He was addressing the ‘Shri Guru Ravidas Vishva Mahapeeth Rashtriya Adhiveshan-2021’ in New Delhi today . The President said that Guru Ravidasji may have been born in a particular community, sect or region, but saints like him rise above all such boundaries. Saints do not belong to any caste, sect or region. They take steps which are for the welfare of the entire humanity. The conduct of saints goes beyond all kind of discrimination and narrow-mindedness.
President Kovind expressed happiness that the philosophy and values of Guru Ravidasji like social justice, equality and fraternity have been imbued in our constitutional values. The Chief Architect of our Constitution, Dr B.R. Ambedkar embodied the Constitutional principles around the values expressed by Guru Ravidasji.
The President said that Sant Ravidas did not leave out any person or class of society from the ambit of his love and compassion. If saints are tied up to a particular community, then, in his view, it would be against the very principle of inclusiveness which was preached by Sant Ravidasji himself. Therefore, it is necessary for people to change their thinking and outlook. Efforts should be made to ensure participation of all sections of the society in the events like this. He said that these efforts would help in increasing social equality and harmony in the country.
The President said that Guru Ravidasji had envisaged a society which is based on equality and free from any kind of discrimination. He gave it the name ‘Be-gampura’ - the city where there is no place for any kind of grief or fear. Such an ideal city would be bereft of fear, vulnerability or scarcity. Rule of law based on right ideas like equality and welfare of all would be the principle for governance. Only those who supported the vision of such a city were considered by Guru Ravidas as his true companion.
The President said that in fact, Guru Ravidasji was expressing the vision of India as the city of Be-gampura. He was inspiring his contemporary society to build a country based on equality and justice. Today it is the duty of all citizens to work together to build such a society and nation and be eligible to be called the true companions of Sant Ravidasji.
Please Click here to see the President speech
Special Service and Features
CTCRI to hold Brainstorming session on Mealybug management
Thiruvananthapuram, 21 May 2023
The ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute  in Thiruvananthapuram is organising a one-day brainstorming meeting 'Management of mealybugs in cassava: Present status and future strategies' on May 23 at the CTCRI campus, Sreekaryam.
Dr. S. C. Dubey, Assistant Director General , Indian Council of Agricultural Research , New Delhi, and Dr. S.N. Sushil, Director, National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources , Bangalore, will be present to prepare a roadmap for tackling mealybugs, which are considered serious pests of a number of crops including cassava, the fifth most produced staple food crop of the world.
Worldwide, three species of mealybugs affect cassava. Many of these pests entered India accidentally and introduction of the papaya mealy bug, Paracoccus marginatus, into India from Sri Lanka in 2008, causing very serious damages to a number of crops is a classic example of invasive alien species .
The most serious of the three, cassava mealybug , first reported in India from Thrissur in April 2020 by ICAR-NBAIR is the latest example. The introduction of a parasitoid wasp, Anagyrus lopezi by ICAR-NBAIR in 2021 and its subsequent release in Tamil Nadu in 2022 and in Thrissur in April 2023 for biological control of cassava mealybug assumes great importance in this context.
The one-day brainstorming meeting at CTCRI will bring together scientists from NBAIR, CTCRI, Kerala Agricultural University and Tamil Nadu Agricultural University along with different stakeholders including officials from all Krishi Vigyan Kendra  in Kerala, State Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, progressive farmers and students.
The parasitoid wasp will be released and distributed to all KVKs, officials of the agriculture department and progressive farmers. There will be technical sessions about all the mealybugs as well as on the use of the parasitoid against cassava mealybug, CTCRI director Dr. G. Byju said.
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Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Special Drive to Remove Speed Breakers from National Highways
A special drive has been initiated for removal of all sorts of speed breakers on National Highways. The step comes in a bid to ensure smooth and hassle-free traffic movement, especially at toll plazas. With the effective implementation of FASTag on toll plazas and conversion of cash toll lanes to FASTag lanes, the speed breakers/ rumble strips constructed at toll plazas are being removed with immediate effect for smooth vehicular movement.
Roads of different categories and under different situations are designed for designated speeds at which vehicles can travel with convenience and safety. At certain locations, control of speed becomes necessary to promote orderly traffic movement and improved safety. Considering the fact that National Highways are designed to cater to high speed traffic without any hindrance, the drive to remove speed breakers from national highways under the jurisdiction of National Highway Authority of India .
The speed breakers result in considerable delay, damage to the vehicles and significant discomfort to vehicle occupants and more fuel consumption due to acceleration and deceleration. This initiative will save time, money and facilitate smooth vehicular movement especially to ambulances, elderly and unwell people commuting on National Highways. In the larger context, this will also ensure avoidable wastage of transportation fuel for which country is heavily import-dependent, and will also result in lesser pollution.
Electronic Toll Collection through FASTag has been implemented from 15th December 2019 to provide commotion-free movement on highways. Positive effects of ETC are being realized by the commuters on toll plazas. Introduction of speed breakers-free highways is another step in commitment to provide safe, smooth and seamless journey to commuters on National Highways.
Ministry of Food Processing Industries
Food processing scheme in Rural Uttar Pradesh
Ministry has approved 23 Cold Chain projects, 3 Agro-Processing Clusters, 22 Food Processing Units in Uttar Pradesh under PMKSY
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries  has been implementing the Central Sector Umbrella Scheme - Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana  for overall growth and development of the food processing sector, including the processing of agro- products. The scheme has an outlay of Rs. 6000 crore for the period 2016-17 to 2019-20. The period has since been extended to FY 2020-21. The component schemes of PMKSY are -  Mega Food Park,  Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure,  Creation /Expansion of Food Processing & Preservation Capacities,  Infrastructure for Agro-Processing Clusters,  Creation of Backward & Forward linkages, Food Safety and Quality Assurance Infrastructure,  Human Resource and Institutions,  Operation Greens.
Under component schemes of PMKSY, MoFPI provides mostly credit-linked financial assistance  in the form of grants-in-aid to entrepreneurs for setting up of food processing/preservation industries. PMKSY is not any region or state-specific but demand-driven and is implemented across the country including the rural areas of Uttar Pradesh. So far, Ministry has approved 23 Cold Chain projects, 3 Agro-Processing Clusters, 22 Food Processing Units, 6 Creation of Backward & Forward Linkages Projects & 9 Food Test Laboratory projects in Uttar Pradesh under corresponding component schemes of PMKSY.
As part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Initiative, MoFPI is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme-PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme  for providing financial, technical and business support for setting up/upgradation of 2 lakh micro food processing enterprises through credit linked subsidy during five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25 with an outlay of Rs.10,000 crore. Out of this, a total of 37826 units have been allocated to Uttar Pradesh with an outlay of Rs 1731.60 crore for the next five years.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Food Processing Industries Shri Rameswar Teli in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding  is being signed amongst Deptt. of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Government of India, and Amazon Internet Private Limited
A Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding  is being signed amongst Deptt. of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities , Government of India, Sector Skill Council for Persons with Disabilities  and Amazon Internet Private Limited on 28.09.2022 at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre at 1:45 pm. The main objective of this MoU is to jointly provide skill training and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. It also envisages mobilisation of PwDs for skill training by the DEPwD, designing of job roles for e-commerce sector by SCPwD and providing skill training and hiring of PwDs.
DEPwD will be represented by Shri Kishor B. Surwade, Deputy Director General, SCPwD by Shri Ravindra Singh, CEO, Amazon Internet Private Limited by Shri Akhil Saxena, Vice President, Operations APAC/MENA/LATAM.
Such initiatives of all the parties would create better opportunities for Persons with Disabilities  by imparting job specific, practical and e-commerce skills in the supply chain sector to enhance their sustainable employability in the job market as well as to enable them to become entrepreneurs.
The MoU will be signed in the gracious presence of Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar.
MG/RNM/DP/RK/MPW
Ministry of Home Affairs
CYBER CRIMES
With the enhanced use of internet, the number of cyber crimes is also increasing. As per data maintained and published by NCRB, 21796, 27248 and 44546 cyber crime cases have been registered during the years 2017, 2018 & 2019 respectively. The motives behind cyber crime in the country inter-alia include personal revenge, fraud, sexual exploitation, inciting hate, spreading piracy, stealing information etc.
“Police” and “Public Order” are State subjects as per Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India and States are primarily responsible for the prevention, detection, investigation, prosecution of crimes including cyber crimes. The Law Enforcement Agencies take action as per legal provisions of law against the cyber crime offenders.
To strengthen the mechanism to deal with cyber crimes in a comprehensive and coordinated manner, the Central Government has taken steps for spreading awareness about cyber crimes; issuance of alerts/advisories; capacity building/training of law enforcement personnel/prosecutors/judicial officers; improving cyber forensic facilities; etc. The Central Government has also launched National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, www.cybercrime.gov.in to enable citizens to report complaints pertaining to all types of cyber crimes with special focus on cyber crimes against women and children.
The Government is operating the Cyber Swachhta Kendra  which is providing detection of malicious programs and free tools for cleaning malicious code as well as tools such as M- Kavach for addressing threats related to mobile phones. Indian Computer Emergency Response Team  coordinates with its counterpart agencies in foreign countries on cyber incidents originating outside the country.
This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri G. Kishan Reddy in a written reply to question in the Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Mines
Self-reliance in mining
The Ministry of Mines has amended the Mines and Minerals  Act, 1957  through the MMDR Amendment Act, 2021 with effect from 28.03.2021 with the objective of inter alia increasing mineral production and time bound operationalization of mines, increasing employment and investment in the mining sector, maintaining continuity in mining operations after change of lessee and increasing the pace of exploration and auction of mineral resources.
The reforms inter-alia include the following:
 Removal of distinction between captive and non-captive mines by mandating auction of mineral blocks without any end use restriction. Further, existing captive mines have been allowed to sell up to 50% of the minerals produced after meeting the requirement of linked plants and on payment of additional amount to State Government.
 Provision has been made for transfer of valid statutory clearances in relation to a mine which is expiring or terminated to the successful bidder of such mine in auction.
 Restrictions on transfer of mineral concessions for non-auctioned mines have been removed.
 Private exploration agencies which have been accredited are allowed to carry out exploration without prospecting licence upon their notification. These agencies have also been made eligible for obtaining funding under National Mineral Exploration Trust .
These reforms will help in achieving self-reliance in mineral needs of the country under AtmaNirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pralhad Joshi in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Railways
Productivity Linked Bonus for Railway Employees
equivalent to 78 days wages to eligible Non-gazetted Railway employees;
Payment before Dussehra/Puja Festival season;
11.27 lakh non-gazetted Railway employees likely to benefit;
Incentive to Improve Productivity and Efficiency of Railways.
Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri NarendraModi has given approval to pay Productivity Linked Bonus  equivalent to 78 days wages to eligible non-gazetted railway employees  for the financial year 2021-22. About 11.27 lakh non-gazetted Railway employees are likely to benefit from the decision. This payment will be made before Dussehra/Puja holidays, bringing smile to lakhs of families ahead of the festive season.
The Railway employees have played important role in performance of Passenger & Goods services which also acted as catalyst for the economy. In fact, Railway employees ensured uninterrupted movement of essential commodities like food, fertilizer, coal and other items even during the lockdown period. Railways has ensured there is no shortage of such commodities in the area of operations.
Railways in past 3 years have undertaken series of steps to regain market share in freight and increase realization in passenger fares through suitable policy initiatives. As a result, in the current year , Railways have regained the momentum in receipts, disrupted previously due to the pandemic. In F.Y. 2021-22 Railways achieved incremental freight loading of 184 million tonnes which is highest ever . The payment of PLB would serve as an incentive and result in motivating a large number of Railway employees, particularly those involved in execution and operations of railways, to improve their productivity and ensure safety, speed and service for Railway customers. The payment of PLB will also boost the demand ineconomy in upcoming festival season.
The financial implication of payment of 78 days' PLB to railway employees has been estimated to be Rs1832.09 crores. The wage calculation ceiling prescribed for payment of PLB is Rs 7,000/- p.m. The maximum amount payable per eligible railway employee is Rs 17,951 for 78 days.
President's Secretariat
President of India to visit Gujarat from March 24 to 25
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind will visit Gujarat from March 24 to 25, 2022.
On March 24, 2022, the President will address the members of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly in Gandhinagar.
On March 25, 2022, the President will visit Jamnagar to present the President’s Colour to the INS Valsura.
Ministry of Defence
Indian Navy’s Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel  Capability
The Indian Navy has inducted a Submarine Rescue System with a Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel  along with associated equipment. This System has a Side Scan Sonar for locating the position of the submarine in distress at sea, providing immediate relief by way of posting Emergency Life Support Containers with the help of Remotely Operated Vehicle  and thereafter rescuing the crew of the submarine using the DSRV itself. In a submarine accident, rapidity of response is most crucial to safety of life. To ensure early mobilisation, the System has been procured in a Flyaway configuration which permits rapid transportation of the Rescue System from the base to the exact location of the distressed submarine by transportation using air/land/sea vessels.
The Indian DSRV has the capability to rescue personnel from a distressed submarine  up to a depth of 650 m and it is the latest in terms of technology and capabilities. It has been designed and supplied to meet unique requirements of our submarines by M/s James Fishes Defence, UK. We have ordered two Systems which shall be based on the West and East Coast of India respectively to provide redundancy, high operational availability and early response to deal with a submarine contingency.
The Rescue System has recently undergone extensive Sea Trials wherein many records have been set. Our DSRV dived to over 666 m, the Remote Operations Vehicle  dived to 750m and the Side Scan Sonar dived to 650m. Live undersea matings with different types of submarines along with transfer of personnel from submarine to DSRV has also been achieved, thereby simulating the submarine rescue.
With this capability, India has joined a select league of nations which have this unique capability and we are now in a position to not only provide rescue cover to our own submarines but also to other friendly nations in the IOR and beyond. Our vision is to emerge as a centre of regional excellence for Submarine Rescue Services in line with the stature of our great nation.
The DSRV is likely to be inducted in the Indian Navy by end of this year.
DKS/AC
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Ministry of Law and Justice
National e Governance Division , Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology  signed an MoU with The National Law Institute University , Bhopal
National eGovernance Division , Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology  & The National Law Institute University , Bhopal have signed an MoU at New Delhi today in the presence of Secretary, MeitY, VC-NLU Delhi and VC- Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law  to implement an ‘Online Capacity Building Programme on Cyber Law, Crime Investigation and Digital Forensics through NeGD Learning Management System ’.
With advent of digital age and increased use of mobiles and computers, there has been a significant increase in cybercrimes over the past few years which pose a major challenge for the Law Enforcement Agencies . The goal of this programme is to enable Police Officers, State Cyber Cells, Law Enforcement Agencies, Prosecutors and Judicial Officers to acquire the requisite skills to deal with Cyber Forensics cases efficiently & effectively as per the Indian Cyber Law while adopting global best practices, standards and guidelines. NeGD, under the Digital India Programme in collaboration with NLIU Bhopal has taken this initiative to offer 9 months Online PG Diploma Course in Cyber Law, Crime Investigation & Digital Forensics to 1000 officials through its Learning Management System .
A Cyber Forensics Lab shall be setup in the premises of National Law University  Delhi for facilitating this course. Other law schools/ universities like National Law School of India University , Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law , etc. will also be involved in the programme in future. The law schools will provide the necessary faculty members, expertise and content for the virtual classes and development of e-content. NLIU, BHOPAL will award the PG Diploma Certificate to the candidates who successfully complete the course.